Unpacking Ghana’s Updated Nationally Determined Contribution: A Path Toward Climate Resilience and Sustainability

Ghana's revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement marks a significant step in the nation’s commitment to addressing climate change. Updated for the period 2020–2030, the NDC reflects Ghana’s ambitions to build a climate-resilient, low-carbon economy while enhancing socio-economic development. Let’s delve into the critical elements of this updated framework and what it means for Ghana’s climate future.

Key Highlights of the Updated NDC

1. Expanded Climate Actions:

   
   

   The revised NDC outlines 47 climate actions across 19 policy areas, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation. These measures aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 64 MtCO2e by 2030, create over one million green jobs, and build resilience for nearly 38 million people.

2. Priority Areas:

   
   

   The updated NDC emphasizes:

   • Sustainable energy transitions.

   • Landscape restoration and responsible production.

   • Early warning systems and disaster risk management.

   • Social inclusion, particularly for youth and women.

3. Conditional and Unconditional Measures:

   
   

   Ghana has committed to nine unconditional actions, expected to reduce emissions by 8.5 MtCO2e by 2025 and 24.6 MtCO2e by 2030. An additional 25 conditional measures could achieve 39.4 MtCO2e reductions by 2030, contingent on international financial and technical support.

   
   

4. Socio-Economic Impacts:

   • Improved air quality could prevent 2,900 premature deaths annually.

   • Gender-responsive strategies aim to empower women and youth, enhancing inclusivity in climate action.

The Path to Implementation

Institutional Framework:

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) leads the coordination, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitoring progress through the Biennial Transparency Report. Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Finance, National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), and other stakeholders ensure alignment with national development goals.

Financial Needs:

Implementing the NDC requires investments of $9.3 to $15.5 billion by 2030. While $3.9 billion is allocated for unconditional measures, $5.4 billion will be sourced from international and private sectors for conditional actions.

Technological and Capacity Development:

Ghana’s NDC prioritizes technology transfer and capacity building, integrating academic research, civil society participation, and grassroots mobilization.

Challenges and Opportunities

1. Barriers:

   • Limited financial resources for conditional measures.

   • Institutional and policy gaps in integrating climate actions.

2. Opportunities:

   • Leveraging international carbon markets and Article 6 mechanisms.

   • Enhancing public-private partnerships to drive innovation and green investments.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Development

Ghana’s updated NDC aligns closely with national policies such as the Ghana Beyond Aid Charter and global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It demonstrates a Whole-Ghana-Approach, engaging diverse stakeholders to ensure inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

This NDC is not just a climate action plan; it’s a socio-economic transformation strategy that balances environmental protection with economic growth. As Ghana implements these measures, it sets a benchmark for other developing nations navigating the dual challenges of development and climate change.

The journey toward a resilient, low-carbon future is complex, but Ghana’s updated NDC provides a clear roadmap for achieving it.

Cedric Dzelu

Executive Director

Frontline for Climate Action

frontlineclimateaction@gmail.com